Dave Rude Interview

Dave Rude is from Tesla and The Dave Rude Band

Oct. 1, 2006

Rock ‘N’ Roll Access: What made you decide to pick up a guitar? How old were you when you started playing?

Dave Rude: My mom had an acoustic guitar around when I was a baby, so I would always see it and mess around on it. I just loved it from the first time I saw it. I begged for lessons when I was five, but she wouldn’t let me(thought I might get too frustrated and quit because I was so young). So right after my ninth birthday, I finally got her to get me guitar lessons and I’ve been playing ever since.

RNRA: How did you get started in music? What was the first band you played in?

DR: I mostly just played in my room and jammed with friends throughout school. I was in sort of a jazz group in high school. But I didn’t start playing in bands a lot until after high school. My first band then was Kymdo, then Smokescreen Hustle, then a band called The Servants, who I played with for almost five years.

RNRA: Who are your influences or idols (musically and personally)?

DR: Guns’n’Roses is a huge influence on me. They pretty much got me into hard rock. Stevie Ray Vaughan is my favorite guitar player. I love Aerosmith, Metallica, Zeppelin, Black Crowes, Van Halen, and of course Tesla. All the classics.

RNRA: What band did you first see in concert, and where?

DR: My first show was at the Oakland Coliseum. Poison with Warrant opening. Rocked.

RNRA: Tell us about the Dave Rude Band.

DR: I have my own band, The Dave Rude Band, where I sing and play guitar. It’s a hard rock power trio. We’ve got demos up on myspace at www.myspace.com/daverudeband. People have said we sound like Jet meets Queens of the Stone Age meets Zeppelin. Unique, organic rock’n’roll with classic influences.

RNRA: What do you see in the future of the Dave Rude Band? Any plans for touring, etc?

DR: As far as the future of my band goes, we want to make records and tour. We’re currently writing and demoing a bunch of new songs.

RNRA: How did it come about that you are Tesla’s guitarist?

DR: I started playing with Tesla after Frank Hannon found me on myspace.com and sent me an email. I started playing with his solo band, The Frank Hannon Band, in the spring, and then I started playing with Tesla in June. Wild.

RNRA: What have you learned from working with Tesla?

DR: I’ve learned so much from working with Tesla. Being around such a badassed, professional group really shows you how things are supposed to get done.

RNRA: Are there any entertaining stories you can tell us about touring with Tesla?

DR: Man, there are tons of stories from playing with these guys. It’s hard to pick one. We played a show in Columbus, NE and along came a lightning storm so bad we had to stop the show. The lightning was so close it was brighter than the stage lighting and tons of our gear got absolutely soaked. But it was a hell of a fun time, despite all that.

RNRA: What do you most enjoy about touring?

DR: I love touring so much. Seeing all the different cities and meeting all sorts of different people is great. I love flying,too. And lord knows we’ve done a lot of that this summer.

RNRA: What would you say is the worst part about touring?

DR: So far there’s not much I don’t like about touring. But it does suck being away from my girlfriend and the rest of my friends and family.

RNRA: What’s your favorite song to play live?

DR: Another hard one to narrow down, but I always really love playing Modern Day Cowboy. Also War Pigs is a blast.

RNRA: What is your most memorable experience as a musician?

DR: One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had as a musician so far is playing in front of 25,000-30,000 people opening for Motley Crue at the RockFest in Cadott, WI. Wow.

RNRA: If you could stand on the stage for one night with any of your favorite music legends, who would you pick?

RNRA: Alright, we’ve gotta ask it: if you were stranded on a desert island with only one album of your choice, what would you choose to listen to?

DR: Appetite For Destruction or Led Zeppelin 4.

RNRA: What’s in your CD player right now?

DR: Oasis’ “Don’t Believe The Truth.”

RNRA: What do you like to do in your spare time?

DR: I love to hang out with my girlfriend, go to movies, buy clothes and CDs, workout a lot, the usual stuff.

RNRA: Any words of advice for aspiring rockstars?

DR: Definitely don’t give up. And play what you want to play. If it’s good, eventually people will come around and recognize it. And even if they don’t, you will have enjoyed yourself playing music–which is what it’s all about.

RNRA: Anything else you’d like to share?

DR: I’m just really stoked to be playing music and I feel very lucky to be where I’m at right now. Also, thanks to all the Tesla fans out there who’ve been so cool to me. And check out www.myspace.com/daverudeband!!!